In Praise of Puterbaugh Farms/Hops Direct

[Meddle]

I could use some help on figuring out what to buy. I'd like to narrow my purchase down to 4 different domestic varieties from Puterbaugh Farms, and I lean mostly towards pale ales (American and British), IPAs, and possibly California Common. Willamette, Cascade, Chinook, and U.S. Goldings is what I was thinking. Any suggestions?

 

[jmo88]

I could use some help on figuring out what to buy. I'd like to narrow my purchase down to 4 different domestic varieties from Puterbaugh Farms, and I lean mostly towards pale ales (American and British), IPAs, and possibly California Common. Willamette, Cascade, Chinook, and U.S. Goldings is what I was thinking. Any suggestions?

That sounds perfect. Before I got to your last sentence, those are the four that came to mind. Cascade-American aroma. Chinook-bittering. Willamette and goldings for English aroma and flavor. I wish I woulda got four pounds. That's a lot of hops! I've been pretty happy with Centennial and Willamette for my American and English ales, respectively.

 

[EricCSU]

I could use some help on figuring out what to buy. I'd like to narrow my purchase down to 4 different domestic varieties from Puterbaugh Farms, and I lean mostly towards pale ales (American and British), IPAs, and possibly California Common. Willamette, Cascade, Chinook, and U.S. Goldings is what I was thinking. Any suggestions?

Looks like you are on the right track. I would add some Northern Brewer. It is essential for Cal Common and I like it for American Amber and American Brown as well. If you are unsure about using it or brewing Cal Common, you could skip it and buy your hops by the ounce at the LHBS. Personally, I like Northern Brewer, but YMMV.

Eric

 

[hoppymonkey]

I ordered 3 lbs on two different occasions and didn't even think to weigh them. I'm set for the year now though. Anyone know a bulk seller that has simcoe?

 

[Beezer94]

For Simcoe
www.freshops.com

No prices like hopsdirect, but still reasonable.

 

[permo]

I could use some help on figuring out what to buy. I'd like to narrow my purchase down to 4 different domestic varieties from Puterbaugh Farms, and I lean mostly towards pale ales (American and British), IPAs, and possibly California Common. Willamette, Cascade, Chinook, and U.S. Goldings is what I was thinking. Any suggestions?

I think willamette and the goldings may be pretty similar you have a good base here. As suggested before, maybe sub northern brewer for the goldings.

For american ales, chinook for bittering and cascade for aroma

For english style and porters and stuff, northerbrewer for bittering, willamete for late additions.

Of course these are very loose suggestions...I love the aroma of chinook...not strictly bittering.

 

[permo]

just thought I would add this. I just did the math after weighing out my hops.

I got 56 ounces of hops for $35.86

That is 64 cents an ounce shipped to my door. LHBS is pushing $4.00 an ounce plus tax on some varieties and $3.00 for common varieties.

 

[Meddle]

Looks like you are on the right track. I would add some Northern Brewer. It is essential for Cal Common and I like it for American Amber and American Brown as well. If you are unsure about using it or brewing Cal Common, you could skip it and buy your hops by the ounce at the LHBS. Personally, I like Northern Brewer, but YMMV.

Eric

I was thinking about getting the Northern Brewer but I was hoping for the 2009 crop (they're selling only 2008 in pellets). I was planning on making these last a long time and wasn't sure if it was a good idea to buy a pound if it wasn't from the latest harvest.

 

[KevinW]

just thought I would add this. I just did the math after weighing out my hops.

I got 56 ounces of hops for $35.86

That is 64 cents an ounce shipped to my door. LHBS is pushing $4.00 an ounce plus tax on some varieties and $3.00 for common varieties.

$35.86 total? Including shipping? Sweet!
It is bizarre, I just found their site this morning and was wondering how much shipping was.
I really love this site!!!:rockin:

 

[Beezer94]

If you call or email them they'll get you a quote on shipping.

 

[KevinW]

If you call or email them they'll get you a quote on shipping.

I will do that. I like the idea of 60-70 cents/oz

I could drive to pick them up but it's about 200 miles and the shipping would have to be pretty outrageous to justify that to SWMBO!

 

[permo]

Hops are so low right now, I just got my 3# plus order and considering another big order just on principle alone! Maybe I just start brewing IIPA's for a living....

I always wanted to do a marris otter, fuggles SMASH barley wine with 25# marris otter and a pound of fuggles. Now it would be financially feasable.

 

[craven_morhead]

Also, I learned this last time I brewed, you can iron their hops bags to re heat seal them. Handy.

 

[permo]

Also, I learned this last time I brewed, you can iron their hops bags to re heat seal them. Handy.

That is very handy. I was considering storing them in glass jars after I opened them. Now I might just iron them.

 

[jlpred55]

I think they are still shipping out 2008 hops. Reason being... I recieved 3 pounds yesterday from them. The Chinook (11.5%) and the Cascade (5.4%) were the same AA% as the ones I got last year. Either these are 2008 or they mix them to purposely get that AA% for one of there brewery clients? Does anyone know?

The Amarillo was a different AA% that last years so I am a little suspicious!

 

[lurker18]

As a Canadian, I am looking forward to my order showing up. Placed the order a couple of days ago, 5 lbs, and it is being shipped for almost exactly $1.00/ oz. The LHBS is selling the common stuff for $7.00/2 oz. bag.

 

[TwoHeadsBrewing]

I just used some cascades on my last batch, and had to open up a 1lb bag from HopsDirect. I got:

4 oz for my brew
Filled 3 - 4 oz packages for the freezer
I still had 3.5 ounces left over after that.

I love it when 1lb = 19.5 ounces!!!

I did a bulk buy and shipping worked out to just $.05/ounce. Cascades were $.68/ounce, so 3.5 free ounces means I got $2.40 worth of hops. That more than accounts for paying $.80/pound for shipping.

 

[KevinW]

Also, I learned this last time I brewed, you can iron their hops bags to re heat seal them. Handy.

I have not used their product(yet) and was wondering if their bags can be re-sealed using a "food saver" vaccum sealer?
Any thoughts?

 

[Beezer94]

I have not used their product(yet) and was wondering if their bags can be re-sealed using a "food saver" vaccum sealer?
Any thoughts?

Not likely. The reason for the "ribbed" side of Foodsaver bags is to create channels for the air to suck out of. Two flat surfaces and the foodsaver can't do anything.

 

[TwoHeadsBrewing]

I have not used their product(yet) and was wondering if their bags can be re-sealed using a "food saver" vaccum sealer?
Any thoughts?

you could seal it, but it won't be removing any of the air inside. I'm all for reusing bags, but if you have a foodsaver just use the foodsaver bags. As you use the hops, just cut and re-seal.

 

[TristanL]

I have not used their product(yet) and was wondering if their bags can be re-sealed using a "food saver" vaccum sealer?
Any thoughts?

I've tried this and it doesn't work. Better off using a food saver compatible bag to reseal them once the original package is opened.

I'll just chime in, hops direct rocks! Ordered twice from them and always super happy with the quailty.

By the way, anyone know when the new crop of imported hops will be arriving?

 

[permo]

as far as storage goes, I use 1/2 quart glass jars and fill them full...usually about 5 oz a jar and keep them in the freezer. It works great.

 

[KevinW]

Thank you for the helpful hops storage tips, you guys rock!

 

[Meddle]

I just received my shipment. Each 1 lb package ranged from 2-7 ounces over. Or in other words, I ordered 5 lbs and got 6 lbs.

 

[hotstack]

Has anyone been able to get an international shipping quote from them? I tried a couple times via e-mail a few months back without reply so I gave up.

It would be nice to be able to get hops for better than 12 yen / gram (aka about $60/lb)... i.e. they could charge $30 shipping to Japan on a pound of hops and I would still be happy.

Maybe I will give them another shot.

 

[mosquitocontrol]

The UPS lady just got here. I am so happy! Now just waiting for my bulk DME to show up. I'll be relying on you guys for some recipes to use up some of the extra. 18oz for each! So really 10lbs for the price of 9. 63cents/oz.

 

[BuzzCraft]

The UPS lady just got here. I am so happy! Now just waiting for my bulk DME to show up. I'll be relying on you guys for some recipes to use up some of the extra. 18oz for each! So really 10lbs for the price of 9. 63cents/oz.

don't forget to figure that each bag weighs about .55 oz.....you got gypped, man!

 

[Meddle]

My power went out for about 72 hours. I'm not too worried about the hops that were in the freezer during that time. I was away for the weekend so nearly all of my food got tossed. I accidentally threw out a pound of Cascade! It was in the dumpster for about 2 hours in 55 deg. F weather. The bag of hops was never opened so it had the original seal and it was in a trash bag with frozen foods (peas, sausage, boxed goods that were originally frozen, thawed, and then frozen again by the time I got to them). The bag was clean and had no odor to it. Any reason why I shouldn't use them?

 

[PinkyOFloyd]

My power went out for about 72 hours. I'm not too worried about the hops that were in the freezer during that time. I was away for the weekend so nearly all of my food got tossed. I accidentally threw out a pound of Cascade! It was in the dumpster for about 2 hours in 55 deg. F weather. The bag of hops was never opened so it had the original seal and it was in a trash bag with frozen foods (peas, sausage, boxed goods that were originally frozen, thawed, and then frozen again by the time I got to them). The bag was clean and had no odor to it. Any reason why I shouldn't use them?

They're fine!!:rockin:

 

[permo]

My power went out for about 72 hours. I'm not too worried about the hops that were in the freezer during that time. I was away for the weekend so nearly all of my food got tossed. I accidentally threw out a pound of Cascade! It was in the dumpster for about 2 hours in 55 deg. F weather. The bag of hops was never opened so it had the original seal and it was in a trash bag with frozen foods (peas, sausage, boxed goods that were originally frozen, thawed, and then frozen again by the time I got to them). The bag was clean and had no odor to it. Any reason why I shouldn't use them?

Those hops are irreversebly damaged! Please send them to me and I will dispose of them.